I saw this article from the Examiner last week and thought I'd share it here.
(I've posted the whole thing because it is unavailable online to non-subscribers)
UTA, clean air on the line
Officials: Free or reduced fares just not realistic given the economy
By MITCH SHAW
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
mishaw@standard.net
Quote:
LAYTON — The idea of FrontRunner clearing the air for free doesn’t look too hopeful.
As a thick inversion continues to blanket much of the Top of Utah, air-quality experts say more people using mass transit can help make the air cleaner, but what about a little incentive?
The idea for a free or reduced public transit fare on red air-alert days has been discussed at length in transportation circles over the last year, but the idea doesn’t appear to be gaining much traction.
“It’s not completely off the table,” said Utah Transit Authority spokeswoman Carrie Bohnsack-Ware. “It’s just, right now, it’s not very realistic.”
Red-air status is declared when air particles pass 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
In March 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that the allowable amount of ozone — or smog — in the air had been reduced from 80 parts per billion to 75 parts per billion.
According to the Utah Division of Air Quality, Utah typically sees about 50 red air-alert days every year. UDAQ projects those days in advance, similar to the accuracy and timing of a weather forecast.
Bohnsack-Ware said tough economic times, fluctuating fuel prices and the additional staffing free fare days would require all make the idea “economically unfeasible.”
“It’s not something UTA can afford right now,” she said.
“It’s hard because we are trying to provide as much service as we can. If we had days where people rode for free, we’d need more staff, but we wouldn’t be getting any additional revenue to pay them.”
UTA began using a new electronic fare system Jan. 1, but hasn’t released any ridership figures for the month. Bohnsack-Ware said it appears ridership has increased on red air days.
“Our managers have noticed more people on days when the air is bad,” she said. “But we can’t quantify it yet.”
Bryce Bird, planning branch manager with UDAQ, said it’s a good idea for commuters to use public transit on red air days. Nearly half of the particulate matter 2.5 microns or larger comes from vehicle exhaust.
On red air-alert days, the elderly, small children and people with heart or respiratory problems can be affected.
When the air reaches 80 micrograms per cubic meter, even healthy people are advised to limit outdoor activity. Particulates are the highest during winter, and ozone is at its worst during summer.
Ogden Regional Medical Center spokesman Craig Bielik said officials there haven’t seen any increase in patients with respiratory problems.
It’s the same story at McKay-Dee Hospital Center in Ogden, said spokesman Chris Dallin.
Camilo Torres, a doctor in the McKay-Dee emergency room, advises those with such respiratory problems as emphysema and asthma, and children with respiratory syncytial virus, to stay indoors and avoid outside exercise.
People who smoke should also cut back in these conditions, he said.
Davis Hospital and Medical Center spokeswoman Lora Kier said the Layton hospital has seen an increase in patients complaining of asthma, wheezing and shortness of breath.
According to the American Lung Association, in Utah, the Salt Lake City/Ogden area and Logan are on its list of the Top 10 metropolitan areas most polluted by short-term particle pollution.
Utah is second only to California, which has five cities in the Top 10. The Provo/Orem area was ranked 12th overall.
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As good as it may sound to say that they offer free rides on red-air days, I don't see that it would make much of a difference. If people were willing to sacrifice and ride the train in the name of air quality, they'd be doing it already. I just don't see a lot of people riding just because its free.
I'm not saying that increased mass-transit use won't help improve air quality, because I think that it will, just that I think most of the people driving to work aren't doing so only because the train is too expensive. They're driving because its more convienent and they don't care enough about air quality to change their behavior.
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